Japanese Ambassador: "It needs to improve the competitiveness of the Vietnamese government"

According to Kunio, not only the private sector but also the government of Vietnam needs to improve its competitiveness, which means increasing the ability to support the private sector. In addition, there should be state reforms aimed at better future for Vietnam itself.

The Japanese Ambassador also affirmed that Vietnam is an important partner of Japan, sharing the strategic interests and national interests. The Japanese government is willing to cooperate with Vietnam in terms of labor productivity in particular and in other areas that Japan is able to help.

In terms of improving worker productivity, Kunio said that Vietnam needs to raise awareness throughout the community by building a national campaign to promote awareness of the people about increasing labor productivity and bringing this campaign spread through the mass media.

The report by the General Statistics Office shows that Vietnam's productivity is still very low compared to many countries in the region. Total labor productivity of whole economy at 2017 prices is estimated at VND93.2 million per labor (equivalent to US$4,159 per labor).

This yield is only seven per cent of Singapore's, 17,6 per cent of Malaysia's, 36.5 per cent of Thailand's, 42.3 per cent of Indonesia's, 56.7 per cent of Philippines' and 87.4 per cent of Laos'.

Prof. Kenichi Ohno of Japan National Gradute Institute for Policy Studies (GRIPS) said that raising labor productivity is particularly important for Vietnam today and its economy needs the dynamics of the private sector.

Moreover, Vietnam needs a clear vision and a strategy for attracting capital but it has to choose and develop local capacity.

Vietnam should have a report on productivity including data of productivity in Vietnam and in other countries as well as specific policy-related solutions.